THE police have received 929 reports nationwide concerning insults by social media users against Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and his wife, Aishah, said Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

He said 16 investigation papers have been opened.

In four cases, three suspects have been arrested while another is still at large.

In the first case concerning comments made by Facebook user Bakakuk against Islam and the Prophet, 15 police reports were lodged.

Police picked up Mohd Sharulnizam Stanley Sigan, 29, in Labuan on Sunday. The man has been remanded until Thursday.

In the second case, police arrested Alister Anak Cogia in Bau, Sarawak yesterday over offensive comments against Islam and the Prophet made on Facebook using the profile Ayea Yea.

The suspect, who has 10 reports lodged against him, is also under remand until Thursday.

In the third case, police arrested Mohd Yazid Kong Abdullah, 52, in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, yesterday for making remarks against Islam. Police are applying to remand him today.

In the fourth case, police are still looking for Alvin Chow Mun Fai, 43, who allegedly posted offensive remarks against the Prophet, Islam and the Malays on his Twitter account via the handle @alvinchow333.

Fuzi said all the cases were being investigated under the Penal Code and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

“The public is advised not to abuse social media or communication networks to upload or share provocative and racially and religiously sensitive posts.

“All actions that threaten and insult the beliefs and religions of any race, that create tensions among the multiracial community of our country, must cease immediately.

“The police will take firm action against those who fail to heed this,” Fuzi said in a statement today.

Of late, several cases of social media users posting insults against Islam and the Prophet have surfaced, angering the Muslim community.

Last week, a senior citizen was arrested and charged over the offensive caricature of Prophet Mohammad he had posted on Facebook. The incident led to Muslim groups staging protests after Friday prayers last week. – March 5, 2019